Hometime

Everything to prove.

This album contains songs that Pete and I had written over a good few years and that had latterly been knocked back by new AandR at Sony as nothing special. This was patently wrong and I wasn’t going to let it go. By now no one wanted us on the Uk label and neither would they release me from my contract. Horrible time. Years. Finally i called them myself and said it had to be sorted. Paul Russell the last sticking point and yet ironically the last one standing to believe my days were not yet numbered, then set out a deal whereby i was free for the Uk and stayed with them for Europe. (This was not ideal as any label wants the lot but it was movement) They would fund my recording and provide an AandR team and we could make a start. Whilst my tastes were not that of Nigel and Steve, the independent AandR advisers i was given, eventually they presented us with a show reel by The Insects. It was what i had been looking for. We met, agreed and got to work.

It was a long and costly process but I could not have been happier with the results. It was a perfect combination at just the right time. We had the songs, the determination and now the sound courtesy of The Insects. I love this album and it gave me what just i needed. Finished!

Not quite there yet. Sony Europe didn’t want it. Love ‘em. There followed a trawl by Deb trying to secure a release for it. Very few would take meetings and there were no takers. I meanwhile took a job in the West End doing Chicago to pass the time and Deb was involved managing DJ Andrea Parker. After a year and a heightened profile we had three Indies interested. One was chosen, unfortunately the wrong one being that it was in the process of imploding…another wait to retrieve the rights and then we signed it to Sanctuary. Through John Williams – who thankfully didn’t hold against us our rejection of them a few months earlier.

The reception for the record was wonderful and it went Gold. It was never going to get the support it would have benefited from, through such a small label but I remain eternally thankful that it was released at all. It is to my mind a great record that gives me much pride and satisfaction and laid many a ghost to rest.